Nav Co. History
1903
Incorporation
In early 1903, a group of steamboat operators banded together to form The Navigation Company, Inc. They provided steamboat rides to tourists and weekenders who arrived by train from Pittsburgh and Cleveland. They also offered ferry services to Conneaut Lake Park, the area's biggest attraction.
1935
The First Dealership
As steamboats began to disappear in the mid 1930s, the Company had to adapt. To do so, The Navigation Co. became a Chris Craft dealer - building and selling kit boats and expanding the boating market in the Conneaut Lake area.
1953
1950s & 60s
In early 1953, mechanic Paul Schofield bought the company and expanded business. The Company opened a second location at Conneaut Lake Park. The location at he south end of the lake was the sales and service center and boat/ferry rides were centered out of the park location. At the park, the Company rented boats, operated the ferry boat, and offered rides on the Miss Conneaut speedboat -which was the fastest on the lake at the time. In the late 1950s, Joe & Betty DeVoge bought the company and in the 1960s, the Navigation Company became the first on the lake to sell tournament inboard ski boats & pontoon boats.
1970
Changing Boat Market
In early 1970, the Company's park location was sold to Lloyd Holland, a Conneaut Lake local. Joe & Betty's sons - Mike and Bud began taking on more responsibilities within the marina and took on several new brands throughout the next 20 years. Some of which include Correct Craft, MFG, Crestliner, Harris, SeaDoo, Cobalt, Key West, Bryant, Thompson, PennYacht, Starcraft, Signa, Chaparral, AMF, and Princecraft.
1986
Modernization
In 1986, Mike and Bud added a crane to our waterfront location at the south end of the lake. They also began offering skiing/wakeboarding clinics and hosting tournaments through the 1990s and 2000s. The Navigation company also was the first in the area to offer SeaDoo rentals - although this only lasted for 8 years due to PA state regulations. The company also added 4 warehouses just across town for storage, lifting, and showroom capabilities.
2000s
Expansion
In the early 2000s, the Company added 54,000sq ft. of indoor storage on a 14-acre parcel just outside of Conneaut Lake city limits. Around this time, the Company took on Malibu and Centurion competition wakeboard boats - ensuring that the company kept in touch with the changing boating market of the times. The Company also celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2003!
2010s and 20s
New Era of Boating
In the late 2010s, as the boating market shifted towards bigger wakeboard boats, the Company also took on Axis wakeboats, a subsidiary of Malibu. We also added a second insulated technician shop across town at the Richmond St. warehouses. In 2020, we added another 18,000 sq. ft. of indoor storage at Stoney Point, with another 6,000 in 2024. In 2023, the Company was purchased by salesman and long-time customer, Brian Stanton. Brian and his team are working to propel the Company into the future both through expansion into management of the Ice House Park marina (2025), Harned Docks (2025), and testing out new products and boats every day!
Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter in our Company's storied history!